Small Business Britain has teamed up with Starling Bank to launch a year-long national partnership aimed at supporting women to start, scale and sustain their own businesses amid a decline in the number of female founders across the UK.
The collaboration, beginning in early 2026, will include research, networking events, and a comprehensive free training programme titled ‘Female Founder Fundamentals: the definitive guide to starting and growing your business’. The initiative will feature online masterclasses and peer-learning sessions designed to help women develop financial and growth skills, strengthen confidence, and improve mental resilience. It follows joint research showing that 60% of female founders struggle to switch off from work.
The partnership was officially launched at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on Saturday 8 November, ahead of the club’s Women’s Super League match against Chelsea. More than 150 female entrepreneurs from across the country attended the event, which celebrated women’s achievements in both business and sport.
“There’s such incredible energy when women come together to celebrate success and support one another, whether in business or on the pitch,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO and Founder of Small Business Britain. “This event with Starling at Arsenal Emirates Stadium was the perfect way to kick off our new partnership and to spotlight the confidence, community and ambition that drive female founders forward. Together, we’re building on that momentum with a new training programme to help even more women start and grow brilliant businesses.”
The Female Founder Fundamentals series will feature expert-led sessions for early-stage business owners. Finance specialist Faye Watts will deliver a class on ‘Accessing Finance & Investment’, covering funding options and strategies for long-term growth, while web design expert Cheryl Laidlaw will lead an ‘AI for Productivity’ masterclass, exploring how artificial intelligence can streamline business operations and enhance efficiency.
Michele Rousseau, Chief Marketing Officer at Starling, said: “Starling is proud to be a female-founded bank. We stand behind female founders who are driving innovation and growth across the UK. This partnership with Small Business Britain reflects our commitment to helping people be good with money, whether that’s through financial tools, skills development, or simply celebrating their achievements.”
Recent government data highlights that only 14% of SME employers were led by women in 2024, with the number gradually declining. Women currently account for around 30% of solopreneurs, suggesting significant untapped potential for business growth. Estimates indicate that up to £250 billion could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled new ventures at the same rate as men.
The initiative aims to strengthen support for early-stage female founders, aligning with Small Business Britain’s goal to increase the number of women leading SMEs to 30% by 2030.
